Risks from forced detoxification from heroin are being ignored, conference hears

Changes of policy on provision of services to drug users risk forcing thousands of people into detoxification and abstinence programmes before they are ready, a primary care specialist in drug misuse has warned. The potential consequences could be fatal.

Steve Brinksman, a GP from Birmingham and clinical lead of the support network on substance misuse management in general practice, told a meeting in Manchester that the recent shift in emphasis away from harm reduction and stabilisation towards a more recovery based approach should not be allowed to go too far.

“Detoxification is not a cure for anything,” he said. “It is a small step in the process, and if you do not do the preparation beforehand or the aftercare afterwards you are …